How can I make my sunburn feel better?

Question

A friend of mine let me use her expensive, nice SPF 30 sunscreen when I went on vacation. I loaded up on it and even reapplied it, but still ended up with a nasty burn. It turns out the sunscreen was expired. I feel so crispy and sore....what can I do?

I live in Canada; SPF 50 is definitely a waste of money up here. No doctor in the area will suggest anything higher....it just isn't worth it

Answer 1

first of all make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids-your body needs to replace the fluid that you lost-water and gatorade are best.

best thing to use is aloe vera gel-it's very mild so it won't irritate the burn

take cool baths or showers-warm water will further irritate the burn and traps heat which can lead to dehydration

apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the burned area and keep open to allow it to dry. wear light airy clothes-cotton is best b/c it's non-irritating and won't scratch the burn surface

do not apply any lotions,ointments,vinegar or food products to the burn site-these things actually trap heat and can leave you open to infection.

you can also take motrin for the pain and swelling-take 200-400mg every 6 hours but no more than 1200mg in 24 hours.

Answer 2

Hey there!
I'm as fair skinned as they get, so in my experience, aloe is the best solution. Apply it at least every other hour for a full day and it'll be healing in no time.

Not sure where you are burned, but if it starts to itch on your back (which is the part i hated the most), the thing that helped me the most was to get a crappy shirt you don't care about, apply a bunch of aloe and then lay on your back. After a minute or so, the shirt will stick to your back, but this will also prevent a good portion of the itching. It feels kinda weird, but it works.
Good luck!

Answer 3

aloe works the best for the long term sunburn care, but if you don't have any, try vinegar (apply: use clean hands and wet your hands with the vinegar, only touch the skin lightly and when necessary). It has a strong smell, but it's what my Mom always used when I was young and it helped alot, takes the pain right away. When she didn't have any vinegar she used Noxema, (because it's a cold cream and puts the fire out pretty good)

Answer 4

You should be using SPF 50 for one thing. Cool showers help and use aloe vera or Saladin cream, drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated if you go outside put on some light color cloths

Answer 5

at walmart they have aloe this one type says right on it sunburn relief. it takes the sting out.. but it hurts to rub it on.. that's what I'm using right now..until you get aloe i would use Noxzema if you have it laying around.. but that will not help much with the peeling. aloe will help all around... i was stupid and forgot sunscreen..i was painting one day and the next 2 days i took my niece and nephew swimming.. i am as red as red can be.. almost got sun poison..

Answer 6

spread a layer of cold quark on a kitchen paper
and put this on the affected area. Let it on for about 5 min. , wash it out then apply after sun crean or lotion from the Pharmacy.

For your information:

Suncream or oil are only for one summer season when tube is opened. Once opened, protect from sun and extreme heat. Keep away from sun, keep it refrigerated when not in use.

Answer 7

Aloe

Answer 8

Aloe

Answer 9

Noxema is the best in my opinion, it cools and moisturizes. Aloe gel is also very good, if the sunburn is really bad, 2nd degree (blisters) use the aloe.

Answer 10

The a after sun lotion with lidocane. They even sell a lidocane spray at walmart. Also noxema works too.

Next time I would use 50 block.